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Cardiff - now even more anarchism
The Anarchist Federation (AFED) has a freshly minted branch in the fair city of Cardiff. Based on the principles of class struggle anarchism the AFED bases itself on Anarchist Communism, a distinct philosophy which seeks to avoid both the authoritarianism of the left as well as the liberalism of some strands of lifestyle anarchism.
More prosiacally the AFED campaigns in the here and now on the issues facing working class people day in day out in our supposedly classless society. Post codes for example have evolved into a handy way of discriminating against working class people without the nasty class word being used and nobody having to get their hands dirty.
Post-codes are being used to brand people as potential troublemakers, high spenders or floating voters. Use of computer software to label people by their address is routine and rising. This is in addition to the simple and age old discrimination of checking job applicants addresses and binning those deemed unsuitable.
Market research technology to spot undecided voters and police employ it to target potential crime spots. Post-code profiles have also been linked to call centres' to "queue" potential customers. You could be put in the front of the queue because you're more likely to buy a service. Nearly six out of 10 believe Britain has become a "surveillance society", according to a new survey from Liberty. The online poll also found that only 17% of Britons trusted the authorities to keep their personal details confidential. (Source: Western Mail Sept 07)
So for Cardiff, regardless of what area you find yourself living in your status as 'Human.' is being downgraded to 'Post-code.' And if you're lucky enough to be in an area that has been identified as needing regeneration such as: Splott, Tremorfa, Grangetown and Ely your post could identify you as potential 'trouble.
Cardiff AFED will be soon producing a newsletter "Cardiff Heckler" and you can contact them via e-mail at mailto:Cardiffafed@riseup.net
Darren Purvis
October 2007

Fans devotion bears fruit
This is an amazing if short film which redefines what it means to make an amatuer movie. Obssesive devotion to one artist or work is rarely the basis of creative productivity. But the makers of this gem have avoided the possibility of cloying fannishness and created something rightfully claiming to be a work of art.
Created by the denizens of the HP Lovecraft Historical Society. The inspired decision to make the film as it would have been made by film makers contemporary to its publication results in a slow paced but genuinely creepy piece (filmed entirely in Mythoscope.)
The film starts with the classical dont open the box (in Arkham Asylum no less!) tensions kicking off a doomed but enthralling journey through a world of cults and alien gods munching on humans. It doesnt stretch things too far to see a play on the meaning of madness in the era of Freud. A riposte to the rationalists although meant in a playful way. It ends after an epic quest on R'lyeh island where Cthulu himself makes an appearence in all his stop motion glory.
The special effects deliberately echo the moody and slightly disturbing impact of german expressionist cinema. All angles and madness. Like a metal claw being dragged through your brain!
http://www.cthulhulives.org/store/store.lasso?1=product&2=8
Jeff Baxter
October 2007

Debt and its victims
Total UK Personal debt in Sept 2007 stood at ￡1,355bn.
Debt has become an integrated part of every day life. Credit Cards, overdrafts, CCG's, Bank Charges, Catalogues, Loans, Council Tax arrears, Housing Benefit arrears, Mortgages, Crisis Loans, the borrowing to survive and the spending to not go without or to pay off some other debt, just to take on more debt! Xmas is approaching and so the cycle of consumer borrowing and spending refreshes itself once again.
The Citizens' Advice Bureau said the level of enquiries in Wales about personal debt had increased from 66,644 in 2005/6 to 91,368 2006/7. It could take 77 years on average for people asking Citizens Advice for help with debt to get back into the black, according to a report from the charity . The Citizens Advice chief executive has commented "Low income, combined with badly informed and poorly understood financial decisions, are at the root of many of our clients' debt problems,"
If you find that you are in debt and having difficulty coping there are some useful agencies in the Cardiff. No not the ones with bad adverts for 'Consolidate your loans into one easy payment!" (Yeah and risk losing your home and being tied into a debt that really will take forever to clear) rubbish.
There are advice agencies that can advocate on your behalf to creditors and either get your debt reduced to more realistic payments and get the companies to stop their threatening phone calls and letters (which you usually get charged for the privilege for).
The world we now live in seems not be able to function without debt. Regardless of what politicians say, the truth is, we will never be debt free. The reason for this is that we live in a capitalist society. This type of society needs debt to function.
Darren Purvis
October 2007